The importance of clean washing water for food safety, food quality and the environment

Huge amounts of water are used in the agricultural sector. Generally, this is used to wash fruit and vegetable products. A great deal of value can be derived from reusing water, which brings gains in terms of sustainability. However, this water needs to comply with food safety standards. Increasingly, super-statutory requirements are being set by supermarket organizations, in part as a result of increasing consumer awareness and demand for safe food. Water solutions from VAM WATERTECH ensure washing water is purified up to 100% and can be fully reused in the washing process. The importance of clean washing water Food safety is an essential quality standard that must be guaranteed during the food production and processing. There is a risk of cross-contamination during the process of washing fresh produce. Using chemicals is one way of dealing with this problem, but is generally not seen as desirable. Cross-contamination can occur throughout the entire process, from cultivation to consumer sales. A solution that prevents cross-contamination is using clean water in the production process. Clean water prevents cross-contamination whilst also reducing residue from crop protection agents, fungi and bacteria on fruit and vegetable produce. How does AGF water treatment work?Fruit and vegetables come into contact with water during the washing and sorting process. Continuous water purification through the VAM WaterTech system ensures the consistently very high water quality and allows the end product to be processed as  hygienically as possible. VAM WaterTech has developed a system that can be used by companies handling potatoes, carrots, vegetables and fruit and flower bulbs. The system ensures the water cycle is closed in a sustainable and reliable manner. Other advantages Applying VAM WaterTech water purification solutions in the fruit and vegetable production process ensures products are cleaned up to 100%. In addition, you can save up to 95% of the process water, which is used to clean produce, as the water is not replaced, but continuously cleaned. This may save millions of litres of water each year. Clean washing water also ensures higher food quality and longer shelf life. As a result of the longer shelf life, fewer products need to be disposed of and waste is reduced. The improved marketability and shelf life of cleaner produce also improves return. In addition, washing with clean water means production is uninterrupted and there is less wear to process machines. This means less downtime and less maintenance to the production line are required. It is also extremely important to our health that fruit and vegetables are washed with clean washing water so that no pesticide residue is left on our food. What’s more, sustainable production means no polluted water or soil goes back into the environment. The use of clean washing water is environmentally responsible and sustainable and, therefore, contributes to a better environment. The use of clean washing water is vital to the agricultural sector, consumers and the environment. VAM WaterTech offers customized solutions. We discuss your specific  situation and find a suitable solution. Ask for advice on benefits of fruit and vegetable cleansing, without obligations.